High-speed chase leads to weapons charges

A 28-year-old man is in custody facing numerous weapons charges after allegedly pointing a gun at several people and leading police officers on a high-speed chase through the Maples Saturday night.

Winnipeg police were called to the 2100 block of McPhillips Street around 11 p.m. after a man in a car was seen pointing a gun at a group of four people as he drove by, said Const. Jason Michalyshen.

When police arrived, the man fled, leading officers, along with the Air1 police helicopter and members of the canine and tactical support teams, on a 10-minute high-speed chase through the Inkster Industrial Park area.

Officers chased the man to a house in the 600 block of Sheppard Street where seven people were taken into custody.

"There’s no question when you have a recipe like that we want to be prepared and ensure no one gets hurt," Michalyshen said.

Officers seized a BB gun and paintball pistol from the home. No shots were fired and there were no injuries, Michalyshen said.

It’s unknown if the man knew the group of people, Michalyshen said. The man is believed to have been by himself at the time of the incident, he said.

Regardless of the fact a paintball gun fits into the category of being an airsoft weapon, criminal charges can still apply if they are perceived to be real weapons, Michalyshen said.

The man, who has yet to be named, is facing four charges of pointing a firearm, three possession charges, and two charges of driving carelessly and without a license.